ProShot set to receive a huge update - New user interface, front facing camera support and more

ProShot is a well-received Windows Phone photography app that delivers a DSLR range of controls to your camera. ProShot allows you to control settings such as ISO, White Balance, Shutter Speed, Focus and more. You can shoot in full-auto or take the reins and shoot manual, tweaking the camera's settings to suit your tastes.

Proshot is due to receive a major update over the next few days that will bring a completely redesigned user interface, front facing camera support and more to the Windows Phone app. There is also a noticeable boost in ProShot's performance that increases the burst rate and gives capturing images a little more pep.

We've been tinkering with the updated version over the past few days and it adds to the appeal of what was already a fantastic Windows Phone photography app. If you like the current version of ProShot, you'll really enjoy version 5.0.

App Renovation

With the version 5.0 update, ProShot's viewfinder receives a major overhaul in appearance. At first glance, the changes may appear subtle but as you dig into the app you will begin to see the design changes. Menus at the top of the screen and sides have been reduced in size and some are now hidden. The design changes gives the app a cleaner appearance and opens up more of the viewfinder (the old viewfinder is the first image, the updated image is the second).

Where you could choose you camera mode from options that ran across the top of the viewfinder, you now have hidden dials in the upper and lower right corners of the viewfinder (in landscape mode). Tap the button and pin wheel dials appear to control shutter speed and camera modes (Auto, Program, Manual and Custom).

Speaking of shutter speeds, the update increases the maximum burst to 8 frames per second with an image buffer that can now handle 30 images. The developer reports that ProShot is now 25% faster than Nokia Camera with regards to burst rates. I'm not sure as to the 25% but the updated version of ProShot had considerably more zip to it.

The side menu continues to pull up your camera settings, flash options and image settings. Camera settings cover display options such as grid lines, on-screen level, histogram and options to tap the screen to focus or tap to focus + take the picture.

Flash options are your customary on/off/auto/focus light only and image settings includes resolution, aspect ratio, creative filters and adjustments for contrast, saturation and sharpness. The updated version has seven filters that includes:

Black and White

Vintage

Moment

Pop

Lavender

HDR Lite

Sin City

While the updated version lacks a photo editor feature where you can apply these filters after the fact, you still have the filter editor where you can create your own effects filters. It is our understanding that the developer is working on a new editor that will make its way to ProShot in the future. Until then, you can import images from ProShot to other Windows Phone photo editors such as Fhotoroom, Instagram, etc.

Wrapping up the new layout, you have your exposure compensation wheel at the bottom of the viewfinder and three controls rests adjacent to the side menu to toggle between preset modes (auto, night, etc.), a shutter button and a toggle button to shift between the front and rear facing cameras.

Front camera controls are scaled back slightly. It appears the front facing camera lacks the shutter and camera mode controls. You have control over exposure compensation, the creative filters and the contrast/saturation/sharpness controls. And no, I didn't break the camera!

Overall Thoughts

All totaled the update brings over 100 tweaks, fixes, and improvements to ProShot. It's still a daunting task to choose just one photography app as the best. There are so many quality options in the Windows Phone Store as well as the native camera app and Nokia Camera.

ProShot considers itself the fastest shooting experience on Windows Phone - new dynamic buffer system allows for uninterrupted shooting at the maximum speed possible. The update does give the app a boost in speed and noticeably improves the overall performance of the app.

ProShot ranked amongst the best options available before the version 5.0 update and remains firmly rooted after the update. If you are looking for DSLR like control for your Windows Phone camera, you'd be foolish not to try ProShot.

Barring any unforeseen problems, look for the version 5.0 update for ProShot to be available in the next day or so. As an added bonus, in celebration of the update, Proshot's price will be slashed in half to $.99 until July 1, 2014 ( a steal of a deal).

ProShot set to receive a huge update - New user interface, front facing camera support and more

Proshot has the option of HiRes Pictures (12MP+38MP). I assume that there are 2 pictures saved: 1x 12MP JPG and 1x "RAW" 38MP DNG like the Nokia Pro Cam.

The test version don't allow savingany pictures so I needed to buy the app to figure out, that there's only one jpg-picture saved. I couldn't find any Raw-file. That's a big dissapointment for me because I am only using Raw-pictures for post-processing.

Sounds great, now give me voice command option, and 24mp images and I will dump OneShot. BTW I do own proshot and I only use 3 photo capturing Apps. Nokia Camera Beta, Oneshot, and Proshot. Each is set up for different resolutions and aspect ratios.

Hi everyone, I'm the developer of ProShot. While I put the finishing touches on the app, I've already reduced the price in the store to $0.99 so you early birds can jump on it :) I expect it to be available sometime tomorrow, depending on how long it takes to certify. Can't wait for you all to try it!

As for the 25% faster stat, ProShot's shot-to-shot times are considerably faster on the Lumia 1020 when compared to Nokia Camera. On other devices, shot-to-shot times are either on par, or slightly faster than any other app out there, including Microsoft's default camera app, and this is with a full EXIF viewer, as well as RGBY histograms. A *ton* of work has gone into making this the best shooting experience possible, and I really want to thank the community for their support. It is because of you that I am able to create apps that push the capabilities of your phones to their max!

It'll be there in the v5.0 update. As for the heat, the update should help with that as well, it's a *lot* more efficient. Specifically, I cut video memory usage by more than half, along with a 25-40% increase in FPS (depending on hardware), and that is even with real-time filters enabled.

Always been a supporter of this App. I bought this app with 2 different Microsoft accounts. I really appreciate the hardwork that the developer has put into, but I'm really not digging the "slanted" design in V5.

I think the new UI will make more sense when seen in motion. I wanted to create this feeling that the user was piloting a jet or a Mech, while not making things too intrusive. I hope you'll end up liking it :)

Of course it would make sense, why would anyone implement something if it doesn't? :) However, personally, the design doesn't go well with the whole WP design language? Maybe it's just me. No matter what, though, I will still continue to support your work. Thank you for your contribution to WP! :)

It always has, but as an export option. Once you take a pic in ProShot, swipe to the preview roll. Open the menu and tap the "export original" option. This will export the 20 / 41MP image to your saved pictures roll for easy editing.

In the new version, there will be an image manager built-in, that will allow you to individually manage your original and hi-res photos. I'm sorry that things were a bit confusing in the old version, it should all be a bit more clear in the new one!

The list goes on and on, but most importantly, it's about the UI and UX. ProShot is all about quick access to camera settings, so you can take your pic how you want, and then get on with your day. The entire UI was designed to be used with a quick swipe of your thumb. Give the new version a try and see how you like it :)

RiseUpGames has put a ton work into this app. Been using it has well since it became available. I use this my main photo taking app. Party, events, get togthers with friends, or just taking random pic. I always use this no matter where I am at. Well worth it and then some. Can't wait for update once again.

ProShot has a smoother flow to it than Nokia Camera in my opinion. I like that it remembers my settings when I open up the camera and the ability to make custom filters is not available in Nokia Camera.

It's mainly down to the manufacture to use hardware supporting manual shutter speed selection etc. but these abilities are actually available in the normal Windows Phone libraries. No Nokia IMaging SDK needed.

Well, Apple has recently announced they are opening up the camera for full manual controls like on WP. So WP will no longer be the only ones when iOS8 comes out. Strangely, this was soon after Apple poached one of Nokia's camera leads. Coincidence? I think not!

just voted, this is the best app i have on my 8X but this futere would help so much, i always take pictures but sometimes you an miss things if you have to unlock your device and then go to app. Pretty please implement this futere and ill pay extra for the app :)

While I don't have a 1320 to test, I can say that pretty much everything that is possible to customize about your camera is possible in ProShot, and it can be saved and pinned to your start screen for quick access. It also has contrast, saturation, shadow recovery, real-time filters, and (new to 5.0) sharpness settings, which means you can shoot using your favorite image profiles, and spend less time editing :)

I haven't looked much at the new WP 8.1 APIs, but from what I saw it doesn't look like slow mo video is possible yet. I don't think any current WP devices have the hardware / firmware for it, either :/